The Xavier junior made two 3-pointers during a second-half rally, but he was disappointed overall in the 58-52 loss to Princeton. His eight-point output continued a trend since the start of last season: XU is 13-2 when he scores in double figures and 13-12 when he doesn't.

I had some big shots, and I didn't hit them, Frey said.

Frey craves consistency. But when XU loses, it's often on nights he disappears for long stretches. He made three of eight shots but grabbed just one rebound and turned the ball over twice. Six of his shots were 3-point tries, not a ratio coach Skip Prosser prefers from a power forward.

Though he leads XU in scoring at 12.7 a game  up from 8.8 last year  Frey sees only his room for improvement.

I'm never pleased, he said. I need to be better rebounding, better on defense. I want to work hard in the press. I need to set better screens. I don't think I've been consistent.

Frey's rebounding average is 5.6, up from 5.1 last season. He is shooting .449, up from .411.

Frey was coming off his best overall game, Tuesday against San Francisco. More than his 19 points and six rebounds, his defense in holding USF star Darrell Tucker to nine points  11 under his average  was lauded.

Him playing with intelligence, being aggressive, those have all been very important, coach Skip Prosser said before Saturday's game. He has worked hard in practice, and that's manifested itself in the games.

UNIFORM CHANGE: XU unveiled new road uniforms Saturday, to be worn on special occasions. They are black with blue stripes and numbers, similar to those worn by Duke in recent seasons.

We thought it'd be a good time to use them, to try to get the guys going, Prosser said. But it's not what you wear, it's how you play.

Prosser couldn't say when XU would wear black next.

RECRUIT WATCH: XU signee Jaison Williams, a 6-foot-3 guard from Aurora (Colo.) Hinkley, began his season strong by scoring 22 points in an 89-68 victory Tuesday over Wasson (Colo.). He made four 3-pointers.